Getting unsold food direct from local stores to charities for free

There is a scheme that looks to redistribute Tesco’s store level surplus and unsold food at their local Tesco store for free.

Simple technology, provided by FoodCloud, matches charities and community groups directly with a local Tesco store that has unsold food. By all working together we cut down on waste, save organisations money and help provide nutritious meals to people in need.

How does it work?
1. The charity/organisation nominates one or more evenings per week that they are available to collect surplus food from their local store.
2. On the nominated collection day at 7:30pm, they will be notified via text that their donation is available for collection.
3. The fresh surplus food will be packaged and available for collection from the store from 8.30pm-9.30pm. Organisations are not obliged to take everything that is available.
4. The food then needs to be taken back to the registered premises, rather than the staff member’s house.
5. There are also Morning collections where charities/groups can collect anytime between 7.00am-10.00am available from Tesco Express stores

What food is available?
1. Baked goods – from loaves of bread to pastries
2. Fruit and vegetables
3. Chilled goods – including meat and dairy products
4. Other dried goods are also available (e.g. cereals, tins, pasta)

How can you use the food?
If you have a community café or provide a meal for your clients then this is a fantastic way to add some extras to the food you already provide. If you have a weekly group you could use the bread to provide tea and toast, or snacks for people attending. There is also the opportunity to provide small food parcels if you have identified some residents or clients who are in need of food to supplement their income.

Can my organisation receive food?
In order to receive food, your organisation needs to be equipped to receive, store, prepare and serve foods safely. However, charities and community groups do not need to cook meals and they can distribute food to vulnerable people in the form of food parcels. We will need to come and visit you to make sure that everything is in place with regards to food safety before you can start collecting.

Innovation Talks

Thursday 26th October, 5-8pm, Council Chamber, Essex County Council

Lord Victor Adebowale is one of the country’s leading experts on systems leadership and has years of experience leading organisations supporting some of our most vulnerable people. Amongst other things, he is the Chair of Collaborate, an organisation that helps places build more effective collaboration. Victor Adebowale is a passionate and engaging speaker who will challenge, provoke and inspire you to think differently about yourself and how you lead.

Systems leadership is the practice of leading whole systems rather than organisations to deliver better outcomes. It is a key skill required of all leaders working in complex environments and is at the heart of delivering “The Future of Essex”, a partnership vision for the county’s future (http://www.essexfuture.org.uk/).

The event forms part of a series of Innovation Talks that are hosted by Gavin Jones, the Chief Executive of Essex County Council. This event is part of the Essex Art of the Possible festival (http://artofthepossiblefestival.com/).

The event will start with refreshments and networking. The presentation from Victor Adebowale will start around 6pm and will be followed by a lively discussion session.

Digital Art Group

Trustlinks are offering a Therapeutic Digital Art Groups for Carers, based in Chalkwell Park. Every Monday 10am to 12pm. You will learn how to make art in a friendly and well stocked art room (Metal Art school), based in the park.

iPads are available for you to use and you will be shown step by step how to make beautiful digital art. You do not need to have used an ipad or smart phone before attending our course.

Well trained volunteers are happy to help show you how easy it can be make art using the latest technology.

The park is a lovely relaxing environment with different features to explore and photograph. You will be shown how to use the camera feature on the ipads to take pictures to for your own art.

Digital art is very relaxing and mindful, giving you an escape from your everyday stresses.

Not only will you be learning something new, in a beautiful setting, you will make new friends and produce a collection of beautiful illustrations that you will want to share with family and friends. You need NO ART SKILLS or NO TECHNICAL SKILLs to undertake our project. Our aim is to teach you something new in a fun and friendly way.

Dementia Friendly Cinema

This film screening of Some Like it Hot is a dementia friendly event and although is not exclusively for people with dementia, it is particularly suitable for people affected by dementia, their partners, family members and people who care for them professionally. Everyone is welcome but please be aware that there may be people talking during the film, moving around and leaving the cinema.

The Macmillan Cancer Support Grants scheme aims to fund individuals and groups that support people affected by cancer or campaign to improve cancer care. The grants available include Start-up funds of up to £500 to support new self-help and support project for people affected by cancer; Development funds of up to £3,000 to support the ongoing activities and development of self-help and support projects for people affected by cancer; User involvement grants of up to £3,000 to encourage the involvement of people affected by cancer in the design and improvement of cancer services; Individual development grants of up to £500 to enable people affected by cancer to develop their skills and use their cancer experience to help support others affected by cancer.

Applications will be accepted from individuals or groups of people affected by cancer and organisations and professionals working in partnership with people affected by cancer.